Lok Sabha Debates
Regarding Reported Comments Made By Ambassador Of China On The Indo-China ... on 13 December, 2006
an> Title: Regarding reported comments made by Ambassador of China on the Indo-China boundary issue involving Arunachal Pradesh. MR. SPEAKER: Now, we come to matters of urgent public importance.
The hon. Leader of the Opposition.
SHRI L.K. ADVANI (GANDHINAGAR): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am sure, the Members would recall that just before the commencement of this Winter Session of Parliament and on the eve of the Chinese President’s visit to India, the Chinese Ambassador in India, had made a statement about Arunachal Pradesh, which had amazed the whole country because he said that: “We believe that Arunchal Pradesh is a part of China.’ And then, there had been reference to that statement in this House also; and the Government had categorically affirmed; the Minister of External Affairs had affirmed that Arunachal is part and parcel of India; it is an inalienable territory. Now, two days back, the Ambassador had gone to Chandigarh and in Chandigarh, a dinner was hosted in his honour by the Unity International Organisation. In that dinner, he affirmed that India and China are actively negotiating about Arunachal. He said ‘portions of Arunachal’. Now, I am aware that there is a systematic inquiry that is going on in respect of the boundary. We are discussing the boundary issue, which for years had been, in a way, not within the scope of discussions going on between India and China. But to say that ‘portions of Arunachal’, and ‘they are being actively initiated between India and China’, it is a statement even worse than the earlier statement. It is because, this statement involves us also. Therefore, it should be made amply clear that there is no question of negotiating about something on which the Constitution is very clear; and I am sure that the people in Arunachal would be extremely distressed and upset over a statement of this kind, made by the Chinese Ambassador here. So, once again, I would like the Government not only to make a categorical statement in this regard but also to summon the Ambassador and point out to him that this is the second statement of a kind, which is never made by any Envoy or Diplomat in respect of the constitution of a country, to which, he is there. And, in respect of a matter, even if there are discussions about the boundary in accordance with the agreement between the two countries, no Envoy refers to those discussions in this manner. Therefore, both the things should be done. Firstly, it should be reassured to the people of Arunachal that Arunachal is an inalienable part and parcel of India; and there should be no ambiguity in this regard; secondly, the Ambassador of China in India, Mr. Sun Yuxi should be summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs and pointed out that this is the second statement in the course of this month that has been made, to which the Government of India takes serious objections. … (Interruptions)[r12] SHRI KIREN RIJIJU (ARUNACHAL WEST): Sir, please allow me also to speak on this issue… (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER: Your leader has already spoken.
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SHRI BRAJA KISHORE TRIPATHY (PURI): Sir, the Government should respond… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Yes, the hon. Minister is responding.
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MR. SPEAKER: Tripathyji, I have already got the intimation that he is going to respond.
Yes, Mr. Minister.
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MR. SPEAKER: I had called the hon. Leader of the Opposition and he has already spoken. You may associate with him. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Members from Arunchal Pradesh may be associated.
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MR. SPEAKER: The names of Mr. Kiren Rijiju and Mr. Tapir Gao are associated on this issue.
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MR. SPEAKER: Both of you are speaking together. What are you doing? You are not helping Arunchal. Please be seated. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: The names of Dr. Arun Kumar Sarma and Shri Sarbananda Sonowal will also be associated on this issue. … (Interruptions)
MR.SPEAKER: Sorry, Mr. Rijiju. It was very ably put-forth by your leader. Now, let us hear the hon. Minisiter. … (Interruptions)
THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE): Sir, just a few days back, we had discussions on this particular issue….… (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Members, the hon. Leader of the Opposition has ably raised this issue.
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MR. SPEAKER: This is very unfortunate. I have admiration for you. Please do not spoil that admiration. … (Interruptions)
SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE: Sir, what is this? Every time, when somebody is on his legs, he is being disturbed. What is this?… (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Members, this is not proper. Listen to the hon. Minister.
SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE: Let me complete.
MR. SPEAKER: I am not allowing them. You may continue.
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MR. SPEAKER: This is very, very unfair.
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MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Members, please cooperate. Your names will be associated. We have heard the hon. Leader of the Opposition. He is the leader of your party. Now, let us hear the hon. Minister of External Affairs. SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE: Sir, just a few days back, we had the discussion on this particular issue. The hon. Leader of the Opposition raised this issue and I clarified the position. Even before the House started in the Winter Session, when this point was made by the Chinese Ambassador, I responded and made it quite clear that Arunachal is an integral part of India. We are having representations in this House and in the other House chosen by the people of Arunachal. At one point of time, we had a Minister also from the State of Arunachal in the Union Council of Ministers. Therefore, that question is not debatable. But it is equally a fact, and I gave the instance that from time to time China is raising this issue. Even during the visit of the former Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the month of June - July, 2003, this issue was raised. Now, this is by the Chinese Ambassador, and at that time, it was the Foreign Office Spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China . It is because they have never accepted the McMahon line, which is the demarcating line between Tibet and Arunachal. Therefore, this point is quite clear. Now, on what the Leader of the Opposition is referring, it is true that when you discuss the boundary issue, boundary is not in the sky; boundary is on the land, and it belongs to some part of the countries concerned. But whether it is acceptable or not acceptable, that is the issue being discussed by the two Special Representatives appointed by the Prime Ministers. For the information of the House, this arrangement was initiated by the then Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, when he visited China in 2003. The Special Representative was appointed by him as the Special Representative of the Prime Minister and the Special Representative was appointed by the Chinese Prime Minister. They are having regular discussions, and in the course of the discussions, various proposals and counter-proposals come. The authoriseed representatives of the Government discuss. But unless these things are being finally agreed upon, nobody discloses it. I do not know what prompted the Chinese Ambassador to disclose this. This is not the normal practice. Surely, this matter would be taken up not only here, but at our Mission level also. There is one point. The Leader of the Opposition said it, if somebody else would have said it, perhaps I could have ignored it. If that becomes the conditions that which has been declared as the integral part of the country, is non-negotiable, Mr. Speaker Sir, I am afraid, then there is no point of having any discussion on Jammu and Kashmir, because this House passed a Resolution declaring Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. We have passed a Resolution that Arunachal is an integral part of India. But at the same time, knowing fully well, in 2003 when the Special Representatives were appointed to discuss the border issue -- and I am repeating, border is on the land and not in the sky -- when you finally arrive at a solution, some adjustments will take place here and there. It is applicable to Jammu and Kashmir, also which is the eighth point in the Composite Dialogue, which was again chosen by the earlier Government. Therefore, let us not be too excited on these issues. These are the institutional arrangements, which have been set up, and let these institutional arrangements function. Most respectfully, I would like to submit that let these institutional arrangements operate, and let us not just go on raising this issue. If some Envoy of some country says something, it will be taken up at the appropriate level, and the House need not agitate. The Leader of the Opposition is fully aware of it. He was in the Government and he knows that in all these matters, appropriate steps are being taken by the appropriate authority in the course of time.[r13] MR. SPEAKER: It cannot become a debate now.
SHRI L.K. ADVANI : Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am afraid the statement made by the External Affairs Minister has brought into the situation an issue which is even more touchy. I never expected him to suggest and bring in Kashmir also. If someone were to say or the Pakistan Envoy were to say here that Jammu and Kashmir is negotiable, I am certain that the Government of India itself would protest. But here is an Envoy saying that this is being negotiated and he did not say that it is non-negotiable or negotiable. It is the Minister’s statement which suggests that you cannot say that it is non-negotiable. I am sorry. MR. SPEAKER: He has said it is non-negotiable.
SHRI L.K. ADVANI : I had raised only the issue of propriety. I had raised the issue that should it be proper for an Envoy here to say like this when there is an institutional arrangement. I am aware that the Special Representative of China and the Special Representative of India are discussing the boundary issue. Is it proper for the Envoy to be speaking about it and saying that we are actively negotiating Arunachal Pradesh or portions of Arunachal Pradesh are negotiable? The simple answer is this that it is improper and hence appropriate steps have to be taken. Instead of that, you have yourself suggested that Arunachal Pradesh is negotiable. I am sure that this statement… (Interruptions) SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE: I have never said it. You are putting your own words into my mouth. Please look at the notice which you have given. MR. SPEAKER: I think all sections of the House have made it clear also that Arunachal Pradesh is not a negotiable issue. I think everybody has said it. He has already said it. You are right. He is right. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: No more debate please.
Now, Shri Girdhari Lal Bhargava to speak. I am sorry nothing more is allowed.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: He has made a request. He has to go now.
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MR. SPEAKER: What are you speaking? Nothing will be recorded. Do not record anything.
(Interruptions)* MR. SPEAKER: Do not respond.
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MR. SPEAKER: After what I have said, Mr. Tripathy, it is not fair. I am sorry, you must take your seat. They have made it very categorical on the last occasion and through this occasion also that there is no question of raising any question about this. Therefore, do not raise it any more. The hon. Leader of the Opposition has said it. I have said it from the Chair. Please cooperate. Shri Girdhari Lal Bhargava … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Do not record even one word.
(Interruptions)* MR. SPEAKER: What are you doing? What is happening? Please sit down. Nothing is being recorded. You are wasting your energy. I have called a Member of your Party. Shri Girdhari Lal Bhargava, would you stand up or not? Otherwise, you will lose your chance. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Nothing else will be recorded.
(Interruptions)* *Not recorded MR. SPEAKER: What are you doing now? I am very sorry. I will appeal to the leadership. I will appeal to the hon. Leaders here to see that they do not interrupt. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: [MSOffice14] Do you not want the House to continue? Very well, if you do not want the House to continue, then all the hon. Members will lose their opportunities. Now, it is for the hon. Members to decide. There are so many urgent matters. I wanted to give opportunity to them. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Nothing will be recorded.
(Interruptions)* SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE: If a few Members interrupt the House, it is for the Chair to decide and for their leaders to decide. … (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER: Nothing will be recorded except the speech of Shri Girdhari Lal Bhargava. You speak. (Interruptions)* SHRI TAPIR GAO (ARUNACHAL EAST): Sir, what the hon. Minister is saying is not correct. … (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER : I will adjourn the House. I am sorry to say this.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER : If this is the way of hon. Members to conduct themselves, I am sorry. Hon. Member Shri Tapir Gao, I am repeatedly requesting you to take your seat. SHRI TAPIR GAO : Sir, we need your protection. … (Interruptions)
*Not recorded MR. SPEAKER : Protection has been given. On what your Leader has covered, there was a full reply. The hon. Minister was not bound to respond. He has responded. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER : I am sorry. You are not hearing me. I will not hear you.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER : Nothing else will be recorded.
(Interruptions)* SHRI ANANTH KUMAR (BANGALORE SOUTH): Sir, please hear him. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER : Very well. Then you do not want the House to continue.
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MR. SPEAKER : I will not hear them. I have made it clear.
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MR. SPEAKER : Shri Giridhari Lal Bhargava, will you speak or should I go to the next hon. Member? … (Interruptions)
SHRI KINJARAPU YERRANNAIDU (SRIKAKULAM): Sir, I have given a notice. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER : Shri Yerrannaidu, please take your seat. Do you not see what is happening in the House? … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER : Please sit down.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI TAPIR GAO :Sir, we need protection. … (Interruptions)
*Not recorded MR. SPEAKER : Shri Tapir Gao, do not force me to take an unpleasant action. It is a deliberate defiance of the chair. You are deliberately defying the chair. It is a breach of privilege. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER : You are trying to be overzealous.
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MR. SPEAKER : This is not the way.
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SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sir, what are they trying to do? … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER : Who has approved of it? Please tell me.
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MR. SPEAKER : This is not correct. I am saying it is most reprehensible, whoever has done it.
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MR. SPEAKER : It is most reprehensible. I strongly condemn such behaviour.
… (Interruptions)
प्रो. विजय कुमार मल्होत्रा (दक्षिण दिल्ली) : महोदय, वे अरूणांचल प्रदेश से सदस्य हैं। उनकी बात सुन ली जाए। MR. SPEAKER : Do not say I do not do that. Do not try to teach me how to control. Enough of it.
… (Interruptions)
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